The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) applies to any chemical which is known to be present in the workplace in such a manner that employees may be exposed under normal conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency.

Specifically, decomposition products released during normal operations, such as hot wire cutting of plastic, must be reported on the material safety data sheet if they pose a health hazards and:

They are present in concentrations of 1 percent or greater (by weight or volume), or

Decomposition products of chemical exposed to a fire, where exposure to fire is not a normal use of the product, are not covered by the standard and do not have to be listed on the material safety data sheet. In addition, the definition of "foreseeable emergency" does not include employee exposures to hazardous chemicals as a result of a fire.

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